Miss Jane went out, and sent May into the room.
The dame received her with a warm embrace, but as the subject of young Gaffin was a disagreeable one, she did not speak much about it.
“Have you told the ladies about the grand doings to take place at Texford?” asked the dame.
May confessed that she had forgotten all about it.
“Then while I am here I will just put in a word. A little change will do you good, and if I tell them I’ll keep you by my side all the time, I don’t think they will object.”
“We will think about it,” was Miss Jane’s answer, when the dame told her. “I am not an admirer of fêtes and fantastic worldly doings such as I conclude will take place at Texford. I fear there is more harm done than pleasure obtained.”
“The scene may amuse her, as she has seen nothing of the sort,” observed Miss Mary. “Far be it from me to countenance even indirectly the follies of worldly people, but as this fête is intended to afford amusement to the tenantry and labourers, it must be kindly meant, and if May herself desires to accompany Dame Halliburt, I think that we ought not to deny her the amusement.”
“Thank you,” said May, simply. “I should like to go, very much.”
The dame returned home satisfied that May was not likely to receive any further annoyance from young Gaffin, and well pleased that there would be no difficulty about her attending the fête.
Jacob arrived in the evening at Downside with a basket of shells. May could not help asking him whether he had seen young Gaffin, and again entreated him not to interfere.